site.btaRenovation of Chaira Pumped Storage Hydro Power Plant's Unit 2 Completed

The renovation of Unit 2 of the Chaira Pumped Storage Hydro Power Plant's has been completed, with the innovative solution for modifying the turbine part being unique worldwide. This transpired during an on-site visit of caretaker Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev and Energy Minister Vladimir Malinov on Monday, the press centre of the Council of Ministers said on Monday.

The intensive repair activities, which lasted 12 months, guarantee the security and efficiency of the facility, which can now actively participate in the country's electricity system. The same approach will be used for the restoration of Unit 3, with its repair expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

Meanwhile, the negotiations that the National Electricity Company is conducting with the original equipment manufacturer Toshiba regarding a medium-term solution for the repair of Unit 1 are in an advanced phase. They are being conducted in accordance with the Memorandum of Cooperation in the field of energy signed in September between Minister Malinov and the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, Ken Saito. Minister Malinov said that after the final approval of the draft agreement by Toshiba, it is expected to be signed by the end of the year.

"Thus, in early 2026, we will have two more hydro units at the largest Pumped Storage Hydro Power Plant in the region," Minister Malinov pointed out.
The repair of Unit 2, which is already operating, included the rehabilitation and installation of the generator stator and the turbine. After successfully passing the tests, the facility is to be put into operation in early 2025.

Renovation of the Pumped Storage Hydro Power Plant has not been carried out since the construction of the plant and this is the first in-depth renovation of all control and management systems, as well as part of the main turbine components.

Pumped Storage Hydro Power Plant is the largest underground power plant on the Balkan Peninsula, located under the Belmeken Dam. The installed capacity of the plant is comparable to one unit of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant. The plant operates as a battery with a renewable resource (water) and plays a key role in the security and balancing of the electricity system. After an incident during post-rehabilitation tests, the plant has not been in operation since March 2022.

Prime Minister Glavchev expressed his satisfaction with the successfully completed work and committed the government to continue working at full speed until the end of the year.

The Prime Minister recalled that an important goal is for Bulgaria to meet the criteria for membership in the Eurozone. “The last criterion is expected to be met by mid-January, after which reports will be submitted to the European Central Bank and the European Commission," he noted. The Prime Minister also said that talks are underway with the European Commission for an accelerated assessment.